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The gunnercooke foundation together with gunnercooke aims to create a work experience programme like no other. gcScholars The gunnercooke foundation together with gunnercooke aims to create a work experience programme like no other. Our gcScholars programme ensures that for every young person who gets the opportunity to undertake work experiences at gunnercooke because of who they know, we give an equal opportunity to another who is trying to build their network. The programme is delivered to students in our Manchester and London offices. Scholars on the programme have the opportunity to learn about the world of work by meeting various gunnercooke personnel who are at different points in their career and who readily share their working experiences. They also receive tips for writing CVs and making job applications as well as having the chance to be present for a "day in court". The support on the programme extends beyond the completion of the internship as the students become part of our gcScholars alumni group. Find out more about the gunnercooke foundation and our impact here.

The gunnercooke foundation's inspire* programme works with business leaders from across industry and pairs them with third sector organisations of varying sizes and stages of growth. Leaders helping leaders. Simple! The gunnercooke foundation's inspire* programme works with business leaders from across industry and pairs them with third sector organisations of varying sizes and stages of growth. Leaders helping leaders. Simple! inspire* In return for your commitment, you will receive: Confidential third sector advisory group 1-2-1 coaching and mentoring with a business leader Peer to peer group members Informal networking events Expert speaker events Best practice resources and toolkits Sessional support with key strategy advisors Further support and resources are available at generously discounted rates, so you can buy in small amounts of support as and when needed. The opportunity to join our BFG (Business For Good) programme and create a “For Profit” business to help you become self-sustainable. To become an inspire* member is free, there's no catch. Check Eligibility Register your interest in inspire*. inspire* Form Find out more about the inspire* network charities in your area. Member Directory Team inspire* Our Hub Leaders donate their time and expertise. They come from a range of backgrounds and are experienced coaches, confident in facilitating peer support groups by creating a safe and respectful space where everyone feels comfortable, valued, and heard. Darryl Cooke Co-Founder & Hub Leader Sarah Goulbourne Co-Founder & Hub Leader Peter Bohm Hub Leader Parminder Latimer Hub Leader Dave McCall Hub Leader Joan Pettingill Hub Leader Akash Sachdeva Hub Leader Richard Barnett Hub Leader Claire-Elaine Arthurs Hub Leader Chloe Carswell Hub Leader Warren Kemp Hub Leader Sara Parker Hub Leader Chris Jones Hub Leader "It has been so important and useful to me as a new charity leader to attend the Hub meetings. The opportunity to network and share successes and challenges with others in similar roles is invaluable" inspire* Hub Member Find out more about the gunnercooke foundation and our impact here.

inspire* Eligibility Assessment Please answer the following questions which will determine if you are eligible to become an inspire* member. Am I eligible to join ? inspire* Eligibility Assessment Please answer the following questions, which will determine if you are eligible to become an inspire* member. 1. Are you a Registered Charity, Community interest Company or Charity Incorporated Organisation? Yes No 2. Are you based in the UK? Yes No 3. Does your organisation have an annual income of over £50,000 but below £2,000,000? Yes No 4. Can you commit 2-3 hours per month / six weeks to your inspire* membership? Inspire* meetings can be attended in person or online. Yes No 5. Are you a CEO, Founder or decision maker for your organisation? Yes No Check Eligibility

< Back The Sleep Charter 5 Dec 2024 The Sleep Charity visit the House of Commons This week inspire* hub leader and gunner cooke partner Joan Pettingill visited the House of Commons to hear about sleep and its impact on workplace safety, including hearing from The Sleep Charity about The Sleep Charter. Launched in 2020, The Sleep Charter's vision "is that sleep difficulties are understood in the workplace, employers are educated and that employees have access to effective, consistent evidence-based advice and support." Employers can sign up to The Sleep Charter and pledge to start considering: How to tackle fatigue and sleep deprivation in the workplace Adopting a cultural change within your business Start taking appropriate responsibility for your employees health and wellbeing Create a ‘SSS’- a Staff Sleep Strategy Ensure that employees have access to sleep education Previous Next

< Back Stepping it up this March! 18 Mar 2025 Donate to support women all over the UK. It's week 2 of our challenge for Step Up for Smart Works! T eams from across gunnercooke , the gunnercooke foundation and House of Books & Friends CIC are raising money for Smart Works Greater Manchester this March. The Smart Works team have sent us some lovely goodies to help us in our pledge to walk over 310,000 steps each, whatever the weather. Why are we walking 10,000 steps a day for Smart Works? Because Smart Works help unemployed women get the coaching, clothing and confidence they need to secure employment and change the trajectory of their lives. And seen as it's Women's History Month, there is no better time to be supporting the women near or far from you. How can you contribute? Donate to our gc trust teams that are participating this year. The fo undation Team: https://www.fundraiseforsmartworks.org.uk/fundraisers/thefoundationsolemates Partner Services Team: https://www.fundraiseforsmartworks.org.uk/fundraisers/partnerservicesteam The Marketing Team: https://www.fundraiseforsmartworks.org.uk/fundraisers/gunnermarcheting The Talent Team: https://www.fundraiseforsmartworks.org.uk/fundraisers/gunnercooketalentteam House of Books and Friends : https://www.fundraiseforsmartworks.org.uk/fundraisers/HouseofBooksandFriends Previous Next

Meet the gunnercooke foundation team. Who is behind the foundation? Meet the Team With a passion for doing good, faster, Laura, Heather, and Darleen are committed to actively driving the foundation's mission within the Third Sector. With decades of combined experience in the field and a diverse range of creative and practical skills, the small team delivers all projects and campaigns, either independently, in collaboration with external supporters, or alongside volunteers from across gunnercooke llp . We are here to contribute to work that makes a difference. Whether you're a small charity leader or CEO in need of a supportive network, or you're looking for helpful resources on impact reporting, marketing, AI, sustainable income, alternative business models, and more, we're here to support you . Maybe you're a business looking to support the foundation or get involved with our mission at the House of Books & Friends. Or perhaps you're a gunnercooke partner wanting to create space for smaller charities across the UK, as a Hub Leader... There are plenty of ways we can all do good, faster. Laura (right) is our Foundation Director, Heather (middle) is our Foundation Manager, and Darleen (left) is our Foundation Admin Assistant. The foundation is governed by a Board of four Trustees who are committed to the objects of the charity. Board member expertise includes law, business, finance, investment, risk management, marketing, and fundraising. You can find more information on the great people involved with each of our projects via this link . Sarah Lynch Operating Partner & Project Director Sarah is an experienced director specialising in change management, innovation and new business generation within International businesses and Not-For-Profits with global brands such as Clarks and Manchester City FC. Sarah has enjoyed applying her commercial skills for social good establishing and growing charitable foundations in the UK and abroad, and also enabling businesses to maximise their social impact through their charitable work. Laura Fisher Trustee Marketing Director Laura has overall strategic responsibility for the development of gunnercooke's internal and external brand and marketing services, with a wealth of knowledge across all new and traditional marketing techniques. Laura supports both individuals and groups of partners on new products, business development, brand and profile raising. Darryl Cooke Trustee Darryl is the founder and visionary behind gunnercooke llp . In 2012 Darryl established the gunnercooke Foundation, the firm’s charitable foundation to help growing and ambitious charities. In 2022 he achieved his vision to launch a not-for-profit bookshop and House of Books & Friends opened in Manchester, where every penny of profit goes back into tackling loneliness and social isolation in the community. Naseer Patel Trustee Finance Director Naseer joined gunnercooke in October 2015 with overall responsibility for managing the financial performance of the firm. He is a chartered accountant with a strong commercial focus, particularly around strategy execution, process improvement and governance. Naseer has a wealth of experience in the legal sector, having been the Head of Finance of a traditional law firm prior to joining gunnercooke and has also held different Non-Executive Director and Trustee positions. Sarah Goulbourne Trustee As the co-founder of gunnercooke, Sarah is passionate about challenging, improving and evolving the way in which legal services are delivered to businesses. Sarah is also hugely passionate about creating a business model that gives back, helping to improve our communities and in turn our planet.

< Back New inspire* Hub Alert! 4 Apr 2025 We hosted the first inspire* Hub Meeting in the North East On Friday the 4th of April, gunnercooke partner Warren Kemp hosted the first North East inspire* hub! It was a great first session, bringing together charity leaders from the region for peer-led support, networking and developing. As one of our foundation staff join the first session of a new Hub, for any additional support, it was great to see how instantly there was so much support and connection in this group. It is a great continuous reminder, of what a difference these safe spaces can make in the lives of busy charity leaders, who often carry a lot on their own. Thank you to Warren for volunteering with the gunnercooke foundation; we can't wait to see how the hub develops! Are you a partner that is looking to become a Hub Leader or a Charity that is looking for a Hub? Then get in touch today! Previous Next

< Back We've Wrapped Up WrapUp 2024 30 Nov 2024 In Manchester, London and Berlin volunteers from across gunnercooke have been helping vulnerable people stay warm this winter. This year Partners, Operating Partners and gcTrust teams have been supporting the brilliant WrapUp campaigns across Manchester, London and Berlin. 80 volunteers committed over 18- hours to promoting WrapUp, leafleting, collecting and sorting nearly 850 costs and hundreds of warm items like jumpers, hats and gloves across the three cities. For the first time ever, we supported Wrap Up Manchester and we were blown away by the responses; nearly 50 bags of coats were donated between Piccadilly Station and House of Books & Friends . The team in Berlin held their second WrapUp and more than doubled the number of items donated! Over 20 volunteers braved the cold to collect coats at Berlin Central Station. Thanks to HandsOn London, Hannah from the gunner cooke foundation was able to go over to Berlin and support the German team. We can't wait to see how WrapUp Berlin grows over the coming years. The London team were loud and proud in Moorgate Tube Station; many of the volunteers are on their second, third or even fourth year taking part! Soe partners brought along their clients and friends (and dogs) to join them. From all of us at the gunner cooke foundation we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported WrapUp 2024! Previous Next

Gunnercooke LLP is a purpose driven company. It is a phrase that is becoming increasingly bandied around but what does it mean? Our Story gunnercooke LLP is a purpose driven company. It is a phrase that is becoming increasingly bandied around but what does it mean? Well, the starting point is that we believe that there is too much injustice in the World, too much inequality, a rich – poor divide and too much damage being done to our environment. We want to use our business as a solution and not as a part of the problem. That is the reason for our Foundation. We also want, where we can, to help others to become purpose driven companies through our networks, our collaborations, and our supply chains. We are a long way off perfect but that is our aim, and we will try our very best. gunnercooke will work on what John Elkington referred to as a triple bottom line and not just profit as a traditional firm does – but people planet and profit and they are all equally important. There is a new desire in the World for business to be done better, better for its people, better for its communities, better for the World. We are on the edge of a movement that will redefine business and its people. Darryl Cooke Co-Founder Our Foundation is central to our bottom line. Through our Foundation, our people, our clients, and our suppliers, we believe that we are in a unique position to make a difference. Great organisations like the CO-OP make their profit and then distribute it wisely through another arm. Our model is to fully integrate our Foundation into our business and to engage our people in the work that we do. As a result, they will become more loving, more fulfilled, and joyful in their lives. It is a totally holistic model. This year has seen us continue the great work with our inspire* charities and enhancing the effectiveness of their leaders. Much of that work can be seen in this report and I don’t wish to repeat it, but I do want to highlight some of the more innovative things that we have done this year and will be doing over the coming year and years. I am excited about the journey ahead. I am thrilled with the work and leadership of our foundation, and I look forward to engaging as many of our great people as possible in our projects and in the support of our foundation members and their beneficiaries. Finally, the work that inspire* and the Foundation does is now growing and with some 160 charities involved it is important that we work together to become a voice and a force for good and we will be working on ways that we can seek to influence others, both business and our politicians, and to become thought leaders as we seek to further support our charities and thereby improve our communities and our planet. Meet the Team Find out more about the gunnercooke foundation and our projects here.

< Back Big Meet Ups 2025 6 Dec 2024 See our schedule of inspire* Big Meet Ups for 2025 We kick off our 2025 Big Meet Ups with a Virtual Speed Networking Session in January. Inspire* members can meet some of the 159 other charities in the network, find out more about what they do and how they can support each other this year. Big Meet Ups 2025 22nd January 4.30-6.00pm Virtual Speed Networking 19th March 4.30-6.00pm Fireside chat with Dallaglio Rugby Works CEO 14th May 4.30-6.00pm Impact Reporting with Emma Insley 15th October 4.30-6.00pm Impact - Mergers and Asset Pooling - what charities can learn from the private sector, with Bean Partners. Big Meet Ups are open to all inspire* member charities, for more information about the network and how you can get involved please contact heather.kerr@thegunnercookefoundation.com Previous Next

Check out any volunteering opportunities within the gunnercooke foundation. Volunteering Opportunities Alike We need trustees with a diverse range of skills, experience and knowledge, and would love to hear from people who could bring one or more of the following: Leadership within NHS digital transformation, or commissioning, procurement and care delivery Experience in UK law, ideally in employment law, data protection or intellectual property Background in youth activism, social change or health policy and campaigning Senior leadership experience within the charity sector, preferably with experience of scaling If you’re interested in joining Alike on our mission to bring comfort, support and community to the millions of people impacted by cancer across the UK, then we would love to hear from you. You might not necessarily tick every single box - and that’s okay: if you’ve got the passion and you feel confident that this role is for you, please do get in touch anyway. You may still be the perfect fit. No. of people required: 3 Location: London Experience required: As above Training/Safeguarding: None Dates required: Ongoing, 6 board meetings per year (3 in-person meetings, 3 virtual) Length: Ongoing Apply Now Home-Start Trafford, Salford & Wigan Home-Start are excited to share the details of their new volunteer training happening this September at The Trafford Centre. They are looking for people to become home visiting volunteers and are searching for people who can spare just a couple of hours a week, be kind and non-judgemental, and those who are parents. No. of people required: 20+ Location: The Trafford Centre Experience required: Ideally a parent Training/Safeguarding: Training is provided, and this is face to face or online Dates required: 26th September & 9th October Length: One off project, 9.30am - 2.30pm Apply Now Remember My Baby We are developing new systems and processes, and digitising our way of working. Currently we use a mixture of Facebook and WhatsApp to communicate with our volunteers and we are moving onto a CRM and looking at linking in to external platforms. No. of people required: 1 Location: Remote Experience required: Digital transformation experience and knowledge would be very useful to us. Training/Safeguarding: None Dates required: As soon as possible Length: One off project Apply Now Give. Help. Share As a charity which provides nutritious food parcels for children and families in need, we are always looking for volunteers to shop for food; pack food parcels; and deliver to schools. Volunteers can participate in one, two or three or these tasks. No. of people required: 1-3 Location: Elstree, Hertfordshire, WD6 Experience required: None Training/Safeguarding: None Dates required: Any week days Length: One off or recurring Apply Now Beacon Counselling As a growing local charity, our volunteers are involved with many aspects of our work from promoting our services and fundraising in their community as well as supporting the charity within our centres through administration or reception work. At the heart of our organisation we have a professional and dedicated counselling team of 60+ counsellors. Volunteer today and help us change lives. Whatever your plans – we’re here to support you every step of the way. No. of people required: Up to 5 Location: Stockport Experience required: Lived Experience Training/Safeguarding: Trustee training given Dates required: Ongoing Length: 40 hours per year Apply Now Home-Start Greater Manchester We have volunteers who support families who are in need of support for various reasons, for example: loneliness and isolation, support with the children at home with routines, homework, budget managing, mental health issues, children with special needs or multiple birth families, support following domestic abuse, etc. No. of people required: Any number Location: Trafford, Salford, Wigan Experience required: None Training/Safeguarding: We offer full training to all our volunteers, this involves completing 6 online modules at home and two face to face training days. This covers safeguarding. We complete a fully enhanced DBS for our volunteers and ask for two references. All our volunteers are fully supported by our Co-Ordinators Dates required: Ongoing Length: 2 hours a week for 6 months Apply Now N-Gage Treasurer role (Board of Trustees) - A key member of the Board of Trustees, overseeing the financial affairs of the Charity and ensuring they are legal, constitutional and conform to accepted accounting practice. No. of people required: 1 Location: Remote or Manchester (M22) Experience required: None Training/Safeguarding: Knowledge and experience of current and finance practice relevant to voluntary and community organisations. Knowledge of bookkeeping and financial management. Good financial analysis skills. Full role description can be provided on request. Dates required: Ongoing Length: Ongoing Apply Now The Choir With No Name The Choir with No Name runs choirs and builds joyful singing communities with homeless and marginalised people, around the UK. Singing makes you feel good; it distracts you from all the nonsense in life and helps you to build confidence, skills and genuine, long lasting friendships. What we do is simple: our choirs meet once a week for a cuppa and a catch up, we then sing our hearts out for an hour and half, and sit down together afterwards for a hot meal cooked by volunteers. We perform regularly at a whole load of different places, from local homeless hostels to the Royal Festival Hall and everywhere in between. Our choirs are a supportive, safe space for people going through a tough time to be among friends, where they can experience the joy of singing together, have fun, build confidence and skills, and feel more able to tackle life's other challenges, such as securing housing or finding work. Volunteering is a brilliant opportunity to be part of a really supportive group in your local community, make friends and have fun singing your heart out. From cooking meals to supporting members at rehearsals and gigs, it's a brilliant way to have fun, meet new people and make a difference. No. of people required: 1-10 Location: London, Liverpool, Cardiff, Coventry, Birmingham, Brighton Experience required: None Training/Safeguarding: Induction, including training and safeguarding Dates required: Varies on location Length: Ongoing Apply Now Purple Heart Wishes We have a kiosks at: The Etihad Stadium for every home game of Manchester City football. You don’t have to be a football fan just happy to meet people and serve them a pie and a pint. We get 10% of our sales. 5 hours on a Saturday, or sometimes during the week, only 1 or 2 a month would help us out a lot. The AO Arena where we can choose which concerts we attend, and there could be darts and boxing events too. It will be serving drinks and merchandise. Again, we will get a % of what we sell going into the pot for the charity. No. of people required: 6+ Location: Manchester Experience required: None Training/Safeguarding: Online training in food hygiene and till training Dates required: Ongoing Length: See opportunities above Apply Now Mothers Uncovered We have a couple of projects that could suit different skill sets. Currently we have gaps in: Marketing and publicity of our podcast Fundraising by linking in with corporate companies to shape an offer of services and create links/relationships with the right people. Or to look at writing an appeal to local businesses for a one-off corporate grant. No. of people required: 2 Location: Remote - based in Brighton is there is a need/preference to meet in person Experience required: Marketing / Copywriting Training/Safeguarding: Nothing related to the work we do with people, however the volunteers would need the relevant skill sets to carry out the volunteering roles. Dates required: Ongoing Length: These can both be recurring opportunities, or one offs, we are flexible therefore we can discuss the nature of how the roles could look as a one-off piece of work, or recurring voluntary work if someone would prefer something more long term. Apply Now Jessie's Fund Jessie’s Fund was established in 1995 to help seriously ill and disabled children, and those with additional and complex needs, to communicate through the therapeutic and creative use of music. It is our 30th anniversary in 2025 and we are starting to look ahead to event planning. Our 25th anniversary plans were impacted by the pandemic so we would like to make the most of the 30th. It would be useful to have support with aspects of marketing and PR in terms of raising profile and fundraising, for example with materials including video, storytelling, media strategy. No. of people required: 1-2 Location: York (YO1 6ET) or Remote Experience required: Marketing / PR / Event planning Training/Safeguarding: None Dates required: From available time into 2025 Length: Ongoing Apply Now Coffee4Craig C4C is looking for a volunteer with experience in bookkeeping and specifically Quick Books. This would be to provide advice to our top team on finance and bookkeeping. Further to this C4C are openly recruiting for a Treasurer Trustee. No. of people required: As above Location: Remote or Manchester (M3 1FB) Experience required: Finance / Accountancy Training/Safeguarding: None Dates required: Ongoing Length: Each role would require a few hours of dedication a month Apply Now Coffee4Craig Coffee4Craig is looking for evening volunteers to help in their evening café for Manchester Street homeless. To allow our service to provide its full benefit a team of volunteers is needed each night to spend time supporting vulnerable Mancunians and help make their community better. No. of people required: As above Location: Remote or Manchester (M3 1FB) Experience required: None Training/Safeguarding: For evening volunteering, you will be given an introductory session and be supported through your first evening. Dates required: Ongoing Length: Each role would require a few hours of dedication a month Apply Now

< Back We’re Now on Instagram! 12 May 2025 We’ve officially joined Instagram — and we’re pretty excited about it! Our first post went live last week, giving a little intro to the team behind the screen. It feels great to finally have a space where we can share more of what we’re up to, show the people and projects we support, and highlight all the amazing work happening across the third sector. We’ll be using Instagram to give a bit of a behind-the-scenes look at life at the gunnercooke foundation, share updates from our projects, and shout out the inspiring organisations we work with. You’ll also find useful resources, stories from our community, and hopefully some content that makes you smile too. At the heart of everything we do is the belief that doing good doesn’t have to be complicated, but it works best when we do it together. Whether it’s charities, social enterprises or business leaders wanting to give back, we love bringing people together to help ideas grow and make a bigger impact. So if you’re curious about what we do, passionate about social change, or just want to see some good news on your feed, come and follow us @dogoodfaster . We’d love to have you with us! Previous Next